Thank you to all the amazing child and family advocates who joined us for our 2nd Michele Corey Child Advocacy Summit. Your engagement made the event special and inspiring. We thank the guest panelists and speakers for sharing their insights and our generous sponsors for enabling many dedicated grassroots heroes to attend. Your commitment to improving the lives of children, youth, and families in our state is commendable. Please take a moment to explore reports, photos, and profiles of our Emerging and Rising Star award winners. These individuals have shown exceptional dedication to advocating for Michigan’s youth. Thank you for being champions of change and hope!

A Day With Child Advocates: Inspiration and call to action

(June 12, 2025) – Participants from across Michigan gathered for Michigan’s Children’s 2nd Michele Corey Child Advocacy Summit – a powerful day centered on strengthening child and family advocacy in turbulent times. The event included a keynote speaker, networking, youth advocacy awards and six discussion panels. Whether learning to deepen relationships with lawmakers, build momentum online, or center youth voices, attendees left the Summit energized and ready to tackle the next challenge in their child advocacy issues.

The Summit’s keynote speaker was Danielle Atkinson, Founder and National Executive Director of Mothering Justice. Her speech was titled “Proactive Posture in a Defensive Stance: How to Keep Fighting for Your Values.” She challenged attendees to remain steadfast and proactive, even when their values are under threat. Ms. Atkinson emphasized the urgency of standing up for children and families with intention, clarity, and courage—even in the face of political and social uncertainty. Detailing how her own experience while advocating for others as a new mother, could not find those advocating for her, inspiring her to create Mothering Justice. Throughout her speech referencing each of her children and husband asking her questions while in the midst of her work, highlighting the balance that must be struck while advocating for others and the inspiration that can come from community.

A highlight of the morning was the presentation of Michigan’s Children’s Rising and Emerging Star awards that recognize youth advocates who are creating change in their communities. Three were honored with Star Awards and two received certificates for their courage, leadership, and unwavering commitment to justice. Their stories served as a powerful reminder that advocacy knows no age, and youth voices are a critical component of shaping youth policy and programs. Michigan’s Children honored five youth advocates:

• Emerging Star – Jayla Allen, is a dedicated Junior at ACCE High School in Ypsilanti, balancing her education with her passion for culinary arts in the RCTC Bakery and Pastry Science program. Since October 2023, she has served as a peer outreach worker at Ozone House, creating a safe environment for youth.
• Rising Star – Alexia Roberts, has used her voice to improve conditions for youth in foster care. Due to barriers created by the transition out of foster care, Alexia was forced to provide for herself, dropping out of school as a teenage parent. After her foster case closed, Alexia successfully re-enrolled, she is graduating from high school and starting college in Spring 2025.
• Rising Star – Brina Williams, is a dedicated child welfare advocate, consultant, and social worker with a passion for transforming foster care, mental health, and LGBTQIA2S+ issues. A two-time alumna of Western Michigan University, she currently serves as a Young Adult Consultant at the Capacity Building Center for States and Project Coordinator for Educate Tomorrow’s Changemakers.
• Honored youth advocate – Alyssa Andrews, is a graduating senior at Eastern Michigan University who has served as PWF. -EFyTECH’s Director of Communications for 5 years. Alyssa has used her leadership and communication skills to facilitate a series of foster youth-led conversations with MDE, MDHHS, Parents, Surrogates, L-GALs and other Decision-Makers contributing to the passage of H.B. 4676 known as Public Act 10 into Law
• Honored youth advocate – Shyra Divine, Shyra is a dedicated entrepreneur passionate about empowering individuals through holistic community support. As an active participant in Ozone House services, she serves on the Washtenaw County Continuum of Care Youth Advisory Board, advocating for young adults.

The morning also included a creative networking exercise, helping attendees expand their advocacy networks. This interactive moment set the tone for a day focused on building community and deepening connections around shared values.

In the afternoon, the Summit featured six dynamic discussion panels designed to equip advocates with tools, strategies, and fresh perspectives. One highlight of the Summit was the youth-led “Hear Me, See Me, Empower Me” panel on how adults can support meaningful, youth-centered advocacy. The discussion covered topics from how adults can genuinely include youth voice in advocacy work to what inspires them to continue their efforts in spite of the challenges. At one point, a nine-year-old attendee took the microphone to ask, “Am I too young to be an advocate?” Saba Gebrai, Program Director for the Park West Foundation, replied, “You already are an advocate! You have the mic!” To which the audience stood up and clapped, and congratulated the young attendee on their bravery and desire.

Each session provided attendees with actionable insights for participants at every stage of their advocacy journey. Other sessions included:

• Advocating for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Chaotic Times– highlighting Child advocacy involves working for all children (diversity). It means making sure that all Michigan kids are safe to grow, learn and play (inclusion) and no child feels unwelcome because of their personal characteristics (race, ethnicity, disability status, family income, gender, sexual orientation, etc.).
• Becoming an Expert Advocate, where advocates learned how to develop strong, sustained relationships with your elected officials, inspire community members to become advocates, plan successful events that connect impacted people with decision makers, and more.
• Everything You Want to Know About Advocacy… and More, with insights into the legislative process and navigating relationships with decision makers. Panelists included Representative Morgan Foreman (of Michigan’s 33rd house district, representing Ann Arbor and surrounding areas), Representative Kurt VanderWalll (of Michigan’s 102nd house district, representing Muskegon and surrounding areas),and Michigan’s Children’s President and CEO, Matt Gillard (a former Michigan House member).
• Growing Your Supporters, which discussed how to grow and sustain advocacy networks
• Social Media for Advocacy, where panelists offered guidance on how organizations can maintain authentic, values-based engagement in a rapidly changing digital world.

As the summit came to a close, one thing was clear: the work of advocating for children in Michigan is as urgent as ever. Michigan’s Children is grateful to all who joined us in this important effort and we look forward to partnering with you and other Michigan child advocates as we all work to improve policy and outcomes for kids and families in Michigan.

See you at the next Corey Child Advocacy Summit in 2027!

By Stephen Wallace, Michigan’s Children’s Regional Engagement and Mobilization Associate